Restorative dentistry is a powerful tooth that can extend the life of your teeth. Over time, your teeth experience wear, and in some cases, infection. If you have cavities or gum disease, this can cause your teeth to become damaged and less stable. Restorative dentist can use treatments like dental fillings and dental crowns to repair your teeth and allow you to comfortably chew food with them. However, not every tooth can be repaired by restorative dentistry. Some teeth are too damaged. So, how can you know when a tooth is past the point of saving?
Teeth that Are Too Physically Damaged Need to Be Extracted
If your tooth has been chipped, or cracked on the surface, it’s very possible that a dental crown can protect the damaged tooth. However, if that crack is down the middle of the tooth, or if it extends beneath the gum line, the tooth may be too physically damaged to save. If your tooth has lost its structural stability, then you can’t use it to chew, and you will need to extract it. Most cavities can be repaired by a dental crown or dental filling, but infections that have seriously compromised the tooth may call for extraction as well.
Teeth that Are a High Infection Risk May Need to Be Removed
Surface cavities are common for teeth. Bacteria builds up on your tooth and eventually wears a hole into the surface — a cavity. If caught in time, that cavity can be cleaned and filled. If the cavity is severe, a dental crown may be used to restore the tooth. If the infection reaches the root canals of your tooth, you’ll need root canal therapy to clean the area. Sometimes, even this treatment isn’t enough. If antibiotics and root canal therapy can’t fix your tooth, it may need to be extracted. The last thing you want is for the infection in one tooth to spread to other teeth nearby.
Teeth with Light Damage Can Usually Be Saved
If the damage to your tooth is repaired in time, the tooth can usually be saved. This is why it’s so important to attend checkups and cleanings every six months, and to seek treatment as soon as you notice the signs of a problem. Salvaging the structure and stability of your original tooth is often in your best interest, so your dentist will do all they can to make that happen. If your dentist chooses extraction as a treatment option, it’s because that’s the best decision for your long-term oral health.
Repair Your Damaged Teeth at Cerritos Dental Surgery
Cerritos Dental Surgery seeks to provide patients with a positive oral health future. In many cases, that means repairing damaged teeth with oral surgery. In some cases, it may call for tooth extraction. If you’re experiencing tooth pain, reach out to our office right away. You can schedule an appointment at Cerritos Dental Surgery in Cerritos, CA by calling our office at 562-584-4082.
